US EPA News and Recent Stories about Water in the Mid Atlantic Region

May 11 - Healthy Waters Blog Celebrates Two Years

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Since it debuted as the first public EPA regional blog on May 6, 2010, the Healthy Waters Blog has featured 100 weekly posts authored by 27 regional bloggers, been visited by over 44,000 visitors, had over 1.3 million page views, and received 252 comments. The blog was also highlighted as an EPA Open Government Flagship Initiative and as one of six National Water Program Best Practices in FY2011. The Healthy Waters Blog has grown and developed as an innovative tool for sharing information with the public and expanding the reach of our communications to new audiences. Take a look.

May 4 - Virginia Receives Primary Enforcement Responsibility for the Ground Water Rule

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

On April 26, 2012, Virginia officially received primacy for the Ground Water Rule. EPA published a notice of determination in the Federal Register on March 28, 2012 and the public was also notified through an advertisement in the Richmond Times Dispatch. No comments or requests for a public hearing were received.

May 4 - Virginia Publishes Report on Near Shore Oceanic Water Quality

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Time aboard the EPA Ocean Survey Vessel Bold enabled the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to conduct its first ever probabilistic survey of marine water quality, sediment quality, and benthic community conditions in near shore oceanic waters. The survey was a collaborative effort between Virginia and EPA in conjunction with the National Coastal Condition Assessment. The survey included 50 randomly selected sites within the three nautical mile Virginia state territorial limit from the Maryland state line to the North Carolina state line. The report was part of Virginia's draft 2012 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Report.

April 27 - Got Drugs?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST

EPA is supporting National Drug Takeback Day, which is this Saturday, April 28th, from 10 am to 2 pm. For a collection site near you, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration website or call 800-882-9539. Also, listen to our recently recorded podcast.

April 26 - EPA, Amtrak Sign Drinking Water Agreement

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:00:00 EST

EPA and the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak) have entered into an agreement to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for railroad passengers and crew. Click above to view the consent order. Visit the Mid-Atlantic Newsroom to read the press release.

April 20 - D.C. Water Completes Supplemental Environmental Project

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST

On April 6, 2012, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority submitted its Final Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Completion Report to EPA. This SEP was part of a Partial Consent Decree entered in October 2003 that addressed combined sewer overflows. The SEP consisted of planting over 4,000 trees within the combined sewer area, as well as the construction of a 7 cell bioretention facility at the intersection of North Capitol and Irving streets. The total cost was over $1,700,000.

April 13 - Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia Draft 2012 Integrated Reports Released for Public Comment

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST

Three mid-atlantic states have released their 2012 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Reports which include updates to their state 303(d) lists of impaired waters. Comments on the Delaware report will be accepted until May 5, 2012, on the Pennsylvania report until May 22, 2012, and on the Virginia report until April 27, 2012.

April 10 - EPA, Philadelphia Sign Green Infrastructure Agreement

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed an agreement on April 10, 2012 that represents a $2 billion investment in Philadelphia green infrastructure. Over the next 25 years, the Green City, Clean Waters partnership agreement, considered a national model, will transform many of the traditional hardened surfaces in Philadelphia to green areas to better manage potentially harmful rainwater runoff pollution.

April 6 - Comment on Draft EPA Water Strategy to Address Climate Change

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

EPA has released for public comment a draft National Water Program 2012 Strategy, Response to Climate Change. This document updates the 2008 strategy. Public comments will be accepted until May 17, 2012. Proposed actions include protecting healthy watersheds and wetlands, managing stormwater with green infrastructure, improving the efficiency and sustainability of water infrastructure (including promoting energy and water efficiency and resiliency), and reducing pollutants.

March 30 - Podcast Up About the Schuylkill Fish Ladder

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST

Our latest podcast features Bill Richardson of the Office of Standards, Assessment and TMDLs, talking about the importance of fish ladders in helping fish bypass dams to make their way upstream to spawn. The history of the fish ladder here in Philadelphia is specifically discussed. It is hoped that this podcast will draw visitors to the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center where they will learn more about water quality.

March 23 - Public Comments Requested on Draft NPDES Permit in DC

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

March 15, 2012 marked the first day of the 30-day public comment period for the General Services Administration - Heating and Transmission District, West Heating Plant NPDES permit. This permit regulates the discharge of two waste streams: 1) steam condensate leakage which forms on pipes located in a transmission tunnel which transverses under Rock Creek and 2) storm water which collects from roof drains into a sump. Both waste streams discharge to Rock Creek, which is listed on the DC Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. This is a minor permit which has been reissued in the past. It is anticipated that there will be little public response, however, the draft fact sheet has been revised to address the potential effect of the discharge on the newly listed Atlantic sturgeon. Several discussions have taken place with National Marine Fisheries Service and it is believed that each of their issues has been fully addressed.

March 23 - Disinfection By-product Performance-Based Training Offered

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

Our regional drinking water optimization program recently held its third train-the-trainer session for Disinfection By-products (DBP) Performance-Based Training. Representatives from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina received hands-on jar testing and ultraviolet-absorbing organic carbon measurement training. The state representatives are concurrently performing the DBP training for water system operators of surface water treatment plants in an effort to reduce DBP levels in water systems.

March 16 - EPA Plugs Water Efficiency During Fix a Leak Week

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

To highlight the 4th annual Fix a Leak Week, Region 3 Regional Administrator, Shawn M. Garvin, participated in a press conference and tour on March 14 at the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, where donated sets of Delta Faucet Co. water-efficient fixtures were being installed to help the non-profit facility conserve water and save money. It was one of a series of events being held across the country this week involving EPA and Delta, a 2011 WaterSense Promotional Partner of the Year. During Fix a Leak Week, EPA highlights the water- and cost-saving benefits of fixing household leaks and installing WaterSense-labeled fixtures.

March 16 - Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program Revisions for Virginia

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

EPA is announcing its tentative approval of revisions to the PWSS program in Virginia that oversees public drinking water systems. Public comment are invited on the determination. The notice of tentative approval was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2012. This determination will become effective April 4, 2012 if no comments or requests for a public hearing are received. Specifically, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has adopted the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. These will provide for better public health protection by reducing potential cancer and reproductive and developmental health risks from disinfection byproducts in drinking water and by reducing illness linked with Cryptosporidium and other pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water. Virginia continues to comply with the PWSS primacy requirements and retains the authority to implement the PWSS program.

March 9 - NPDES Pesticides Emergency Regulation Adopted by Delaware

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST

On March 1, 2012, Delaware established National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) coverage for applications of pesticides to the waters of Delaware. This new regulation, and the federal Pesticides General Permit which was issued recently, were in response to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in National Cotton Council, et al. v. EPA. As a state authorized to run the NPDES program, Delaware now regulates pesticide applications to waters in the state. EPA regulates applications by federal facilities in Delaware. The emergency regulation will cover pest control activities this spring and summer. This month, Delaware is holding a series of public workshops to inform the public on this new regulatory requirement. A public hearing will then be held, as the state moves towards promulgating a final regulation in September.

March 2 - DC Draft 2012 Integrated Report Released for Public Comment

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) released its draft 2012 Integrated Report which includes the Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act requires the District to submit biennial water quality assessments to EPA. The reports are due April 1 of each even numbered year. The draft report is available for public comment from February 3, 2012 to March 6, 2012.

March 2 - DC Completes Water Quality Planning Projects

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST

The District of Columbia Department of the Environment recently completed two projects funded by an EPA grant. The grant was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and supports water quality planning projects. A Water Pollution Control Contingency Plan was completed which provides guidance to DC agencies that respond to hazardous substance, oil, and sewage spills that may threaten or impact ground and surface waters and natural resources. DC also completed a comprehensive baseline assessment of existing physical, chemical, and biological conditions and a modeling framework for the development of a Total Maximum Daily Load allocation to address low dissolved oxygen impairments in Foundry Branch, a tributary to Rock Creek. Both completed projects will help improve water quality planning.

February 24 - Maryland Draft Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Released for Public Comment

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

The Maryland Department of the Environment released its draft 2012 Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality which includes the Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. The draft report is available on line for public comment from February 13, 2012 to March 26, 2012. The Clean Water Act requires States to submit biennial water quality assessments to EPA by April 1 of each even numbered year.

February 24 - Public Notice of Draft Stormwater Permit

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

On February 7, 2012, EPA issued for public comment a draft permit for a Washington Metro Area Transit Authority pumping station, located at 1400 Mississippi Ave, SE, Washington, DC. This permit is an individual industrial stormwater permit for the collection and treatment of stormwater and groundwater runoff from approximately 7,000 feet of track that run along the F-Route or Green Line. The runoff is discharged into Oxon Run, a tributary to the Potomac River. The runoff would be treated for pH and total suspended solids and monitored for flow, oil and grease, nutrients and organics, metals, and bacteria in accordance with two TMDLs that it might affect, the Oxon Run TMDL and the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. EPA requested Endangered Species Act consultation for 3 endangered/threatened species that this discharge might affect, including the Hays Spring Amphipod, the Shortnose Sturgeon, and the newly listed Atlantic Sturgeon. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, from February 7 until March 8, 2012.

February 17 - Funding Provided for Water Pollution Controls in the DC Waters

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Region 3 provided a grant of $1.6 million to the District of Columbia to help implement water pollution control measures. The statutory authority for this grant is the Clean Water Act Section 106. These funds support the objective of protecting and restoring watersheds and aquatic ecosystems. The work will include developing Total Maximum Daily Load allocations, inspecting permitted facilities, improving monitoring assessments, protecting ground water, and providing public information. These projects will lead to water quality improvements.

February 17 - The Atlantic Sturgeon Makes the Endangered Species List

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

On January 31, 2012, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service officially listed the Atlantic sturgeon on the Endangered Species List. The Atlantic sturgeon swim along the Atlantic Coast, however, they will enter fresh water to spawn. Atlantic sturgeon are found in the James River and the York River, both in Virginia. According to the Endangered Species Act, if a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit has the potential to affect threatened or endangered species, a consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, as well as the Fish and Wildlife Service, must occur. Since EPA is the delegated authority for NPDES permits in DC, EPA must seek consultation with the Services when a draft permit is public noticed. Other threatened and endangered species that occur in the DC area include the Hays Spring Amphipod and the Shortnose sturgeon.

February 10 - EPA Announces Availability of 2012 BEACH Act Grants

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

In the February 6, 2012 Federal Register, EPA announced the availability of grant money for eligible states, territories, tribes, and local governments to support microbiological monitoring and public notification of the potential for exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in coastal recreation waters. In Region 3, the states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and Erie County in Pennsylvania are eligible for these grant dollars. This money will go to support monitoring and notification for the 2013 swimming season. The BEACH Act grants have been made available for over 10 years now, and this year sees a slight decrease in funding for our states, anywhere from 3 to almost 5 per cent.

February 3 - Funding Provided for Water Pollution Controls in the Potomac Watershed

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Region 3 provided a grant of $700,000 to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin to help implement water pollution control measures in the Potomac Watershed. The statutory authority for this grant is the Clean Water Act Section 106. These funds support Goal 2 of the EPA Strategic Plan (Protecting Americas Waters) with the specific objective of protecting and restoring watersheds and aquatic ecosystems. The work activities include assisting in developing Total Maximum Daily Load allocations, working with watershed groups and stakeholders, improving monitoring and stream assessments, and providing public information. These projects will lead to water quality improvements.

February 3 - EPA Releases Report on Water Program Climate Strategy Highlights

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

EPA has released its third report highlighting progress toward achieving goals of its National Water Program Strategy for Responding to Climate Change in 2010 and 2011. The strategy, first published in October 2008, described climate change impacts on water programs, defined goals and objectives for responding to climate change, and identified a set of key actions that could be undertaken. The strategy was organized into five areas-mitigation, adaptation, research, education, and management. The National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change, 2010-2011 National and Regional Highlights of Progress is available online.

January 27 - Greenversations Blog on the Impact of Acid Rain on Sculpture

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

In researching her ancestry, Nancy Grundahl found she is related to a sculptor whose most recognized piece is in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Acid rain, however, has taken its toll. See photos and read the story in the EPA national Greenversations blog.

January 20 - Climate Ready Estuaries 2011 Progress Report

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

The Climate Ready Estuaries 2011 Progress Report by the National Estuary Program is now available online. The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is featured in this latest report. The focus, in part, is on a strategy for examining best practices for a living shoreline and implementing a series of demonstration projects that will evaluate various practices and methods that can then be used at the local level. A best practices handbook will be developed to help guide restoration planning for partners and as a model for other National Estuary Programs.

January 20 - Pennsylvania Triennial Review Passes First Hurdle

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

The first step in revising water quality standards regulation in Pennsylvania is for the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) to agree to the proposed changes. PADEP is proposing to modify or change a number of criteria, most notably the addition of chloride and sulfate criteria for the protection of aquatic life to address increases of these parameters in state waters, most likely due to resource extraction. At its January 11, 2012 meeting, the WRAC voted to approve all the proposed changes, although it expressed some concern with the sulfate criteria, and the proposed human health and aquatic life criteria for molybdenum. The Environmental Quality Board must adopt the proposed regulation before it can be public noticed for comment. If all goes well, PADEP anticipates proposal of the water quality standards revisions in late spring or early summer 2012 with the process completed by May 2013. At that time the package will be submitted to EPA for review and approval.

January 13 - Grant to Bristol Township, Pa. to Upgrade Pumping Stations

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST

EPA will be giving a $485,000 grant to Bristol Township, Pa. for the upgrade of six sewerage pumping stations which are in constant need of repair. The work will increase the reliability of the operations and reduce or eliminate sewerage system surcharges and possible contamination of the nearby Neshaminy Creek and Delaware River. The estimated total project cost is $2,155,000. The match for this Special Appropriation Act Project grant, $396,818, will be coming from Township funds. Construction is expected to begin in February 2012.

January 13 - Calling All MS4s

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST

On January 5, 2012, EPA partnered with PADEP to participate in an MS4 Workshop for the roll out of the recently reissued Phase II MS4 Stormwater General Permit. The Berks County workshop was the first in a series of 16 which will be conducted throughout the state in preparation for the upcoming September 2012 application deadline. The purpose of the workshop is to educate municipal permittees regarding the conditions and requirements of the revised permit and how to properly apply to renew their existing coverage. EPA used its time slot to share a presentation on the federal perspective of implementation. Other topics during the workshop included MS4 TMDL Plan contents, impaired waters and Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements, storm system mapping, post construction Best Management Practices inspections, and municipal ordinances. Approximately 100 people attended.

January 6 - EPA Publishes Draft Recreational Water Quality Criteria

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

In the December 21, 2011, Federal Register, EPA announced the availability of the draft document Recreational Water Quality Criteria. This document contains revised ambient water quality criteria recommendations for protecting human health in ambient waters designated for recreation. EPA will be accepting scientific views until February 21, 2012. EPA intends to finalize these criteria by October 15, 2012.

January 6 - EPA Signs a Consent Agreement and Final Order Issued to Chesterfield County, Va.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

On December 28, 2011, EPA signed a Consent Agreement and Final Order issued to Chesterfield County, Virginia in settlement of violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Discharge Permit Number VA0088609 (MS4 Permit). EPA identified violations of the terms and conditions of the MS4 Permit on April 21 and 22, 2010, during a compliance inspection. Violations included, but were not limited to, failure to commit adequate resources to inspect stormwater outfalls for illicit discharges, failure to control and monitor pollutants in stormwater discharges from industrial facilities, and failure to implement and maintain structural best management practices to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from construction sites. EPA issued a Complaint assessing a penalty of $131,000 on April 6, 2011. After participating in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Chesterfield has agreed to pay a penalty of $77,866 in settlement of the violations. The penalty will be divided into a cash penalty of $46,666 with the remaining $32,200 dedicated to a Supplemental Environmental Project. The project will target 220 businesses which may experience oil, grease, and food-related grease spills and will provide outreach, training, the provision of free spill kits, and the execution of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans to those participating businesses.